Criminal people-traffickers are telling would-be illegal migrants they are almost guaranteed residency in Britain because authorities never send people back, an investigation has revealed.

An Afghan man called Anam, who bragged about having helped 300 third world migrants break into Britain, told undercover reporters he could set up a speedboat crossing from mainland Europe to Great Britain for just £6,000 per person or, for the lower cost of £2,500 a head, organise a trip in a three-person dinghy.

“Really, you just cross the water. Then if police catch you, no problem, they never send you back,” boasted Anam, who was introduced to journalists through two Afghans who had promised them the 28-year-old fixer “will get your man to England”.